Aaricka Washington
As the associate editor for How To LA, I not only write daily news stories in collaboration with the podcast, I lead strategy conversations with my team in order to create captivating, impactful stories for the podcast, digital site, radio and social media that capture the life, news, and culture of Los Angeles. In this role, I also report on original, L.A.-centric, in-depth stories monthly for the How To LA podcast. My stories largely focus on marginalized communities, youth and education. Lastly, I plan, coordinate and host community events with the aim of broadening and expanding audience reach within LAist and How To LA.
A community-driven local news reporter at heart, I've spent countless hours talking to parents, teachers, students, community members and school board trustees about the most crucial issues in education. I’ve covered breaking news, enterprise and investigative education stories for Chalkbeat Indiana and the Austin American-Statesman, focusing on the experiences of people from historically under-resourced communities that were similar to my childhood working class neighborhoods. I’ve also written for The New York Times, PBS NewsHour, Time Magazine and several other news publications.
Before becoming a professional journalist, I was a Teach for America corps member in Houston, Texas teaching Black, Latino and Southeast Asian kids in low-income schools.
I earned a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University-Bloomington.
My dad’s parents met in South L.A. after moving from Arkansas and Louisiana during The Great Migration in the late 1940s. They settled in Watts and started a large family of Washingtons. My family is currently all over South L.A. They are indeed witnesses of the most infamous, transformative parts of modern Black L.A. history. I was born in L.A. on the exact day my grandparents were married 40 years earlier. While I’m from L.A, I grew up mostly in Indianapolis, Indiana with my mom and visited nearly every summer. After living in Indianapolis, Houston, Austin and New York, it was time to return to my roots. I’m so happy to be back.
I’m an avid roller skater, long-distance runner, (soon-to-be) swimmer, and one helluva dope Auntie.
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Cal State Dominguez Hills may be racially diverse, but many students of color don’t feel heard by the administration. -
Tomorrow, those who live in District 6 will vote for a new representative after the resignation of Councilmember Nury Martinez. -
L.A. tenants, advocates and elected officials are concerned that this could lead to an eviction disaster. -
Searching for child care can be challenging in L.A. We've got a guide on how to navigate the obstacles. -
A special election is approaching to replace Nury Martinez, and residents want to see change in the neighborhood. -
After a tentative deal is reached between LAUSD and SEIU 99 — and a voting schedule is set — we examine the effectiveness of the picket line. -
This Friday, L.A. County COVID-era eviction protections for renters will end. Here are the changes you should expect. -
Mutual aid groups have been crucial for this area during this extreme storm season in Southern California. -
As the LAUSD strike continues on its third day, students with special needs are suffering the consequences. -
The Writers Guild of America members could go on strike. Here’s why.
